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My Plea:
Why should the Trust win the award?
Our bereavement service is for families who experience loss during pregnancy, birth, neonatal and paediatrics here at Warrington and Halton NHS Trust and is based in the maternity unit. We are honoured to have been both nominated and selected as finalists for the Best Hospital Bereavement Service. Our service has continued to grow and develop beyond recognition and we have recently had a full refurbishment of our Butterfly Suite courtesy of one of our local charities Harry & Co and the Golden Square Shopping Centre, Warrington. This means that we now have two dedicated bereavement suites with en-suite facilities and a contained kitchen area. To provide families with such homely and bespoke accommodation gives them comfort and privacy at the most difficult time of their lives
All the team in the hospital recognises the significance of the loss of a baby and how painful that experience is. In my work as a chaplain I have met several mothers who did not have the chance to grieve for their baby, and say goodbye in a way that was meaningful for them. For some, that negative memory has remained with them for many years.
Every baby matters. Each staff member uses their professional experience to empathise with parents who have lost babies. Some staff have had personal experience and this also helps them give their support.
When Debbie Yates, the Bereavement Support Co-ordinator was appointed a couple of years ago it enabled the Trust to provide a more comprehensive service for all those parents who have lost their precious babies. It is important for us to help mothers and fathers say goodbye in a way that reflects their own backgrounds and beliefs.
Debbie and the team have worked particularly hard at developing support for those families who have experienced loss at an early stage of their pregnancy. A loss is a loss regardless of gestation and these families often feel uneasy about going to support groups where later pregnancy losses attend even though they would be made very welcome. The Trust launched the Tiny Stars Support group, meeting monthly and specifically for earlier losses giving families a safe, caring environment to talk freely about their loss.
An increasing number of families are also choosing to have early losses returned to them. A beautiful casket is respectfully prepared and then taken to the family by Debbie who will then explain the available options and help them arrange a funeral if this is their choice.
We recognise that it is important for parents to talk about their grief, and decide how they would like to remember their baby. Many parents find a blessing in hospital affirms the significance of their baby. Others want to have a formal ceremony at some stage. We do work hard to involve parents as much as they want to, and give them the opportunity to express their grief in a way that is comfortable for them.
Memory making is very important to us and we are always looking for ways to develop this based on feedback from our families. We work closely with staff to support and discuss options based on each family’s needs and wishes. By far the most important thing we can give as a memory is time and remembering that anything they want to do is usually possible, we have facilitated taking babies’ home with ongoing support and worked in partnership with Claire House to facilitate palliative care in the community.
Our practical memory making continues to grow as families often add a new memory making item in memory of their precious child but include hand & footprints, castings, SD card for each family for photographic memories, memory boxes suitable for each type of loss. We also have a wide range of beautiful clothing, blankets and baby comfort boxes that have been lovingly created or purchased by our local charities and community so that each family can choose something special for their baby if they wish. Harry & Co provide us with books for families and in particular sibling’s books & teddy bears to help families deal with other children in the family and journals to help parents to reflect on their feelings.
The journey after leaving hospital is a long one and so support afterwards is offered in the form of home visits, telephone support and emails based on individual needs, guiding families through the grieving process and painful firsts. Families are also signposted to local and national support. There is a baby book of remembrance in the hospital and an annual service for babies and children at Warrington Parish Church each December.
Debbie’s appointment has helped us engage more effectively with others locally and nationally who share the vision for this important service. We work collaboratively with an increasing number of charities which helps us achieve so much more in terms of memory making, improving our bereavement facilities and ongoing support for families. Our local charities Harry & Co; North West Forget Me Nots and Rainbows and Life after Loss all provide ongoing support for families and hold special events throughout the year such as the Angels Walk; Siblings Christmas Party; Support Groups; Family activity days and balloon releases. We have formed links with a wider network of charities predominantly as a result of the Butterfly Awards who also help us so much – 4 Louis; Aching Arms; Emily’s Star
Rainbow pregnancies bring hope, however we recognise that it can be a very anxious time. Families are offered additional support, based on their needs, to help
them through their pregnancy. One of our local charities North West Forget Me Nots and Rainbows also runs a successful monthly Rainbows support group.
Training and development of all staff is essential to ensure high quality bereavement care and Debbie delivers this personally and using outside agencies such as Sands, Aching Arms and families experiences. The trust runs an annual study day which will take place in November this year with delegates attending from across the North West Region
John Duffield & Debbie Yates
A Family’s Perspective…
My husband and I found ourselves needing to visit Warrington Hospital as I was experiencing severe pains and cramps, we thought it was due to trapped wind or a urine infection. We arrived at the antenatal day unit and we were immediately greeted by a wonderful midwife and receptionist who remained calm and caring despite the obvious pain I was experiencing. I was quickly examined and various tests were carried out without alarming us.
Within minutes of finding blood in my urine we were taken for a scan. Our baby girl was wriggling around, hearing her heartbeat gave us hope. Both of us felt relief yet we looked at each other hopelessly not knowing what was going to happen next. We asked what could be seen on scan and were sensitively told that my cervix had opened and I was in premature labour, the sonographer, midwife and receptionist were very kind. Shocked and uncertain by what this meant we were transferred to labour ward and were quickly greeted by an incredible consultant, Doctor Kate Alldred, Kate clearly explained what was happening, our daughter was on her way and we needed to do as much as possible to slow down the labour to give her the best chance of surviving. Kate was unbelievably professional, explaining clearly all our options as well as the risks. We felt that she was trying to do everything she possibly could despite the challenging circumstances we were faced with.
Things seemed to move very quickly, the whole team at Warrington were remarkable. We met a gentle paediatrician, Amanda who explained the process of helping Fern to survive and what would be done after I gave birth. She gave us a very clear understanding of what to expect whilst respecting our feelings. We didn’t want to lose Fern and we knew that the whole team around us felt the same despite the fact that the odds were stacked against us.
I will never forget the midwife who was by my side throughout the whole labour, Lisa Whittle, she was born to be a midwife. She has the most gentle nature and calm demeanor, an absolutely wonderful woman who was constantly putting me at my ease and guiding me every step of the way.
When Fern arrived, the whole neonatal team did everything they could to help her. Sadly she was just too beautiful for this earth and passed away shortly after she was born. From that point on we had no idea what to expect. We thought we would have a few hours with Fern and then be sent home without our daughter. However, this was not the case at all, the team of midwives gave us time with Fern that we never expected. They gave us clothes to dress her in, a cooling cot for her to sleep in next to us and blankets to wrap her in for cuddles. We stayed in the Butterfly Suite with Fern and again we were surrounded by the most considerate and warm hearted midwives, doctors and staff. They gave us the space we needed as well as providing us with comfort. Every midwife on duty came to us with open arms, listening to us, consoling us and helping us to make precious memories with our daughter, very special moments that we will never forget.
We were introduced to Debbie the Bereavement Support coordinator and she gave us opportunities to make some very touching memories with Fern that we never thought would be possible. Debbie has remained in contact and helped with funeral arrangements, we have also met to discuss our feelings and moving forward, she has been great. We have had follow up with Dr Alldred to talk about what happened and ways we can move forward in the future which gives us hope.
The warmth, kindness and love from every member of staff provided us with much comfort strength and hope during the toughest time of our lives and we cannot thank them enough. No mother ever wants to lose a child but the whole team at Warrington made this traumatic experience bearable. We made memories with our daughter that we never thought we would have and that is because of the truly wonderful care we received from these truly remarkable people.
We are grateful beyond words and we hope our story helps this incredible team win a Butterfly award, they all deserve it
Much love Sarah and Dan xx
Our Future
Our future here at Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Trust is to continually look at ways we can develop and improve our services for families and to help other trusts to enhance their bereavement service. In addition we are developing bereavement champions in each area to support the bereavement co-ordinator caring for families and to assist with delivery of training and staff support.
Thank you for taking the time to read about us and it would be lovely if we had your vote.
What others have said:
“The families who have suffered the loss of their baby are supported by the team of professional, caring and compassionate staff in a very dignified way. The Trust offers an amazing amount of support with home visits, telephone calls, emails and texts. Debbie has recently started to take early loss babies out to the parents instead of them coming to collect from the hospital, which is often too painful. Debbie has introduced a new Support Group called Tiny Stars which is for new early losses and they also offer help by telephone calls and home visits. Debbie and the Bereavement Team also work with local Charities including Harry & Co who funded a total refurbishment of our Butterfly Suite which can now offer 2 dedicated bereavement rooms, both with en suite and kitchen facilities.”
https://youtu.be/4caeIEwqdbg
I have the privilege of working as a midwife in this trust. I believe the bereavement service is exceptional. Debbie Yates also supports us, as midwives, to care for these families to the very best of our ability.
Thankyou so much Linda for your kind words x
I’m proud of this amazing team who make the hardest and saddest of times a more gentle one for bereaved parents and their extended family too. I see how much they care, the heartbreak they feel too. I’ve seen how much this unit as a whole makes this incredibly difficult journey as comforting as possible.
Thankyou Lorraine for your kind words x
I am privileged to be part of a wonderful caring team at Warrington Hospital. The support provided by Debbie and the whole team helps to make the most dreadful and heartbreaking parts of our work a little more bearable for those it affects.
Thankyou Hilary for your kind words x
I have worked for several years on the Neonatal Unit . The bereavement services at Warrington are superb . The support & facilities are excellent. Debbie Yates has particularly ensured that the families that have gone through early losses are given the necessary support also .
As a recently retired nurse … I can only express how excellent the support & facilities available at Warrington are. Early loss pregnancies are given support & compassion too . This necessary love and guidance is invaluable.
Thankyou Shirley for your kind words, we have worked hard continually developing our services and establishing the Tiny Stars support group xx
Debbie always goes the extra mile for her parents she is an inspiration The team are a great support and offer excellent support in very sad circumstances
Thankyou Maureen for your kind words xx
As a part of one of the local chscharities which support the bereavement services offered by this trust – the work done to improve services in the maternity department since our own personal experience in 2010; leaves it now unrecogniseable to how it was.
Thank you to Debbie & the rest of the team!!
Thankyou Kate for your kind words and for your ongoing support for our maternity and neonatal bereavement service, working together helps us achieve so much more xx
What a beautiful idea to comfort parents and families on their loss
Good luck ??
Thankyou Mairead for your kind words x
I work at Warrington maternity and the hard work we all do and Debbie for helping families going thru bad times the butterfly suit is amazing
Thankyou Michelle for your kind words x
Whenever people know that I’m a Midwife their normal response is that it must be a wonderful job. I always explain that we share the highest of highs with our families but also the lowest of the lows. At Warrington our families that experience loss get exceptional care from Debbie our Bereavement Midwife, our maternity staff and our charity Harry & Co who give continual behind the scenes support. Thanks once again to everyone.
Thankyou Deb such beautiful words x
I feel proud to be part of this amazing team at Warrington, i have seen how the service has developed over the years and much of this is down to Debbie’s passion and commitment.
I am very proud to be part of this amazing team at Warrington, i have seen how the service has developed over the years and much of this is down to Debbie’s passion and commitment.
I am very proud to be a part of this amazing team at Warrington, i have seen the bereavement service develop over the years and much of this is down to Debbie’s passion and commitment as well as her support for all our staff.
I am so proud to work as part of this amazing team at Warrington, i have seen the bereavement services develop over the years and this has got so much to do with Debbie’s passion and commitment, along with her fantastic support for all our staff.
Thankyou Julie for your kind words xx
My first child was born at 28 weeks and I honestly cannot praise Warrington Hospital enough. They were amazing every step of the way. The support and care we received no only for our precious baby but for our whole family was second to none. They really are an amazing team.
Thankyou Stacey for your kind words x
Nearly 20 years ago I lost my son, I gave birth st Warrington Hodpital and even to this day I will always be eternally grateful to the staff …..and the bereavement team ….I have listened to people slate this hospital and it beggars belief that a hospital so underfunded offers such an amazing service …..and for this my family and myself will always be grateful
Thankyou Jo for your kind words xx
Can’t thank Debbie and all the other staff at Warrington for all the support they’ve given us this past year
Thankyou Megan xx
I cannot express how deeply grateful I am to these wonderful people. They really are incredible. It was such a sad time losing our daughter. The team went above and beyond to ensure we were looked after, allowing us the time and support we needed to say goodbye to our angel. Even weeks after, they were there talking to us, helping with the funeral arrangements and doing extras, such as photos, charity gifts, and letting us know we weren’t alone. I like to think of myself as a strong woman, but I would not have got through this time without their care, support and their love. If there’s anything I can take out of this experience, it’s knowing that there are incredible people in the world. Thank you so much, we will never forget your kindness when the world seemed so empty!
Thankyou Harriet such beautiful words which mean a lot to the team xx
The worst experience of our lives made as good as possible by special people. It’s hard to look at someone and know you will never be able to repay them or find suitable words to thank them enough. There is simply nothing that they could do better! Special special humans 🙂
Thankyou John for those kind words, it means a lot x
We lost our 2nd little girl Cora at 19 weeks in 2015. The care from the lady who scanned us and told us the worst news ever to Dr Kate Aldred who delivered our rainbow baby 15 months ago was beyond exceptional. Debbie supported us through the worst moments of our lives and both Kate and Debbie helped us to get through our subsequent pregnancy. The maternity unit at Warrington is absolutely fantastic, and deserves not only the nomination but deserves to win!
Thank you! All of you for caring for our family! We cannot thank you enough!
Thankyou Samantha for your kind words xx
The worst experience of our lives made as good as possible by special people. It’s hard to look at someone and know you will never be able to repay them or find suitable words to thank them enough. There is simply nothing that they could do better! Special special humans 🙂
There is no way to put in to words How much the team Truely deserve this recognition. From my problems in pregnancy, to the delivery of my Son, his neonatal care, our care, the support during and after his passing and the support in the years since, to the support during my rainbow pregnancy and the reassurance and understanding during her birth and the months that followed, every single step of our journey to parenthood was supported by the amazing team at Warrington Hospital. I am certain, with out them, we wouldn’t be where we are today .
Special mention to Debbie Yates & Harry&co xxx
Thankyou Chloe for your kind words xx
I am so proud to part of this wonderful team at Warrington Hospital. Alongside Debbie Yates and the rest of the team we work with families through these difficult times.
We treat everyone like our own family with the greatest dignity and respect.
Thankyou Joanne for your kind words xx
I am the Lead Nurse for Child Health at Warrington Hospital, this team offers a vital support to families in the most tragic circumstances. They are so dedicated, compassionate and caring. Debbie Yates I often witness going above and beyond to ensure families get that support. It is not only the families they support but they also provide information and guidance and support to staff. I am so proud of this team.
Thankyou Sarah for all your support for what we do x
We gave birth to our baby girl, Harper Roze,at 19 weeks, 3 years ago. The care and support we received from the maternity team at Warrington was outstanding. They made what was the hardest day I will ever go through, very special for us. We have footprints of our special angel, photographs, she was christened, we was granted the most precious memories for our beautiful girl, and I seriously cannot thank you all enough for helping us get through this day. Debbie Yates, the support, kindness and love that I received will live with me forever, you are a very special lady for supporting all the families that go through this hard time. You was there for me straight after me giving birth, helped me at anytime of day, support through her funeral and after, whatever I needed, and to have you there throughout my rainbow pregnancy meant he world, thank you for everything you have done for me, it will stay with me forever.
You all deserve this nomination and to win, just simply the best and amazing team
Thankyou Samantha for your kind words xx
They’re Such a wonderful supportive team of kind, caring and special people who make such a positive difference to people’s lives during very difficult times. Debbie and the team work very hard to achieve the very best and should be very proud of the huge improvements and changes they have made.
along with the help of their support network and charities especially to mention Harry and Co.
they deserve to get the recognition they so truly deserve xx
Thankyou Andrea for your kind words xx